Those are beautiful. The 3rd gen signature series, to me, are the best looking cap and ball revolvers.

 

That line of Colts do have some nice looking pistols. I have an engraved Signature Series pistol.

 

Accessories:

 

Picked this up at an online auction. Colt 2nd dragoon. Came with original boxes and wooden presentation case.

 

My 1847 Signature Series...

 

All very handsome. The CC on Snidely’s is striking as are the stocks on the original poster’s guns.

 

I personally love the signature series. I recently bought a 2nd generation and arguments aside, love it as a Colt!

 

I started collecting the Colt C&B guns of the 2nd generation four years ago and now since I have at least one of each model cased with all accessories I had the idea to complete my collection with guns from the 3rd generation, the Signature Series, which where not made in the 2nd generation.

I started with the Whitneyville Hardford Dragoon Type I, here it is in an original Colt case with all accessories

the finish of the Signature Series guns is really spectacular

the only drop of bitterness with these guns is the silver plated grip. Almost all of the guns have ugly spots on it and it doesn't tarnish like the silver plated grips of the 2nd generation

if you directly compare the Colt C&B series you can see the differences in the finish. Top is my 3rd generation Whitneyville Hardford Dragoon, center is 2nd generation F-series 1st Model Dragoon and bottom is 2nd generation C-series 3rd Model Dragoon

different finish on frames and barrels (same order)

from left: Signature Serie, C-series and F-series,

 

the only drop of bitterness with these guns is the silver plated grip. Almost all of the guns have ugly spots on it and it doesn't tarnish like the silver plated grips of the 2nd generation

Interestingly, those little spots you are referring to on the silver-plating, is actually the bubbling and lifting of the silver-plated level, which is just a few microns thick. The silver-plating is actually porous, and this lets the environment get under the plated surface, and over time, the environment (air/humidity) interacts with the metal below, and creates tiny rust pin-pricks which simply go through the silver-plated level. The only way I know to arrest this process is to heavily, heavily wax the gun with a top-quality crystalline wax like Renaissance Wax. Wax the gun lightly, let dry, buff with a clean cloth, then repeat a couple more times. Repeat this once or twice a year. The wax creates a barrier which slows down the penetration of the environment into the gun. Renaissance Wax is what the NRA Museum uses in its preservation efforts for its collection.

 

The pistols from the Sid Series are very nice. However, I understand the quality is variable. So they need to be inspected before they are purchased. I think those special editions from the custom shop would be the exceptions.

 

The pistols from the Sid Series are very nice. However, I understand the quality is variable. So they need to be inspected before they are purchased. I think those special editions from the custom shop would be the exceptions.

I have never heard that. Actually, the opposite.

 

Thanks for the pictures and opinions. Just beautiful stuff, think I will put this page on my Favorites to us as reference when on the hunt. Spad

 

Also, keeping these high-condition guns in their original wood cases that have fabric inside, is not recommended as a long-term solution. The fabric-lined interior of the boxes can be a moisture trap, which can, over a long period of time, interact with the gun's finish in a detrimental way. Over years, the fabric can also pick up oil and contaminants, and so shouldn't be in contact with the gun's surface.

That's why when you sometimes see very high-finish antique guns that came out of a case after 100 years, invariably, the right side of the gun (which was faced down inside the case) can be in a substantially poorer condition than the left side of the gun, which didn't come into contact with the fabric. Gun rugs are the same way - bad for guns.

Best way to keep these guns pristine for future generations, in my opinion, is to wax them, then keep them in a constant humidity level (not too humid, not too dry) and laying on wax paper (the type you used to wrap around sandwiches). Avoid large swings in humidity, and monitor the guns every three months to see how they are faring.

 

Also, keeping these high-condition guns in their original wood cases that have fabric inside, is not recommended as a long-term solution. The fabric-lined interior of the boxes can be a moisture trap, which can, over a long period of time, interact with the gun's finish in a detrimental way.

[snip]

That's why when you sometimes see very high-finish antique guns that came out of a case after 100 years, invariably, the right side of the gun (which was faced down inside the case) can be in a substantially poorer condition than the left side of the gun, which didn't come into contact with the fabric. Gun rugs are the same way - bad for guns.

[snip]

This is also true with engraved pistols. The one I am thinking of purchasing has a left side in reasonably good condition. The right side is faded much more noticeably due to cleaning that apparently was necessary before its sale.

 

I recently posted photos of my 1st Gen 1851, and my latest, a NIB 3rd Gen '51 (see thread "Old Sam and New Sam"). Unfortunately, the 3rd Gen '51 went straight back to Cherry's, who kindly and graciously refunded me in full, after my first range outing with it. Here is a PARTIAL listing of its issues -- and again, this was a NIB Signature Series 1851: 1) extremely loose arbor pin; 2) extremely loose and rattly wedge; 3) ignition only about one of every six attempts, probably due to: 4) enormous front-to-back cylinder play whether cocked or uncocked; 5) on shots which DID ignite the loading lever dropped, every time; and finally 6) 12+ lb. horrendous trigger pull.

Other than these issues, the gun was perfect. But I reiterate, Kevin Cherry was and is an absolute first-class guy to do business with, and he took the hit for Colt's/Imperato's blunders on this particular gun -- despite the fact that I had managed to get it to fire a few times. I hope to buy other guns from him again in the future.

Other than this Signature Series episode, I have 2 Sig Series 1860s -- one fluted, one not. The unfluted gun was too beautiful to shoot, so I didn't. Beautifully finished and case-hardening colors that would make you weep. The fluted 1860 is now a good shooter, but only after a trip to the gunsmith for lathing of the trigger screw shank, a factory error that I could not diagnose myself but which somehow initially kept the gun from holding full cock position.

I also have several 2nd Gens and a pile of Uberti/Cimmaron/Taylor revolvers. NONE have ever had the problems that this Sig Series 1851 had. Of course, YMMV.

 

All of these pistols are very nice. I am looking.

 

Way back when they first came out, I bought a Colt Signature Series 1847 Walker and 1849 Pocket at Gander Mountain (the brick and mortar store in Wilmot, WI). My dad bought the 1851 Navy and the 1860 Army. Between us, we had the original set of four. Colt came out with more percussion revolvers after that, be we liked the four originals the most. When my dad passed away in 2004, I kept his two and have had all four on display in our living room in a beautiful wood and glass case.

I got them out yesterday and took some pictures on my fence post.

The really are spectacular finished. The blue is stunning and the case hardened colors are gorgeous. The one-piece wood stocks are all fit perfectly.

Thought I'd share the pics with you all since we're stuck inside:

1847 Walker -





1849 Pocket with a .32 S&W conversion cylinder -





1851 Navy -





1860 Army -





-Steve

Very very nice! Here is one of two identical M1860 Army Officer’s Deluxe I have. Nib. Excellent quality. Cheers! Jonl51

 

That post about the Ren Wax was very informative, I use that stuff on my old teak bed. I found this out from museums on treating old teak. I really appreciate the info as all my Colts are non-shooters, well I'm thinking of one, no. All are new/old stock. I'll just shoot the Italian variety I have. These Colts are just so beautiful. Again thanks for the wax tip.

 

I have a Colt Signature series 1851 Navy. I have heard people say they have issues and maybe so but like everything else there are lemons. My Colt has a Kirst Konverter and the barrel lined to .357 and It’s been running like a champ for two decades.

 

I had bought a Colt Signature Series 1860 Army from Gander Mountain in the early to mid 1990s. They were selling seconds and I found one with a double strike on the caliber on the left side trigger guard.